IBF middleweight titlist Jermain Taylor is back in jail for allegedly discharging a firearm Monday afternoon in his native Little Rock, Arkansas.

According to the Little Rock police department, Taylor has been charged with three counts of endangering the welfare of a minor and possession of marijuana.

A witness claims to have heard five gunshots near Martin Luther King Jr. Drive. Taylor was later stopped by police, at which time a gun was retrieved from his vehicle. An unidentified woman and two children were also in the vehicle.

Taylor, who won the IBF title in October from Sam Soliman, was questioned by police last month for allegedly throwing a brick through a woman’s moving car. Taylor was questioned by authorities but not arrested after claiming self-defense.

Taylor will go on trial in June for shooting his cousin last August in a domestic incident. He pled not guilty last month.

Taylor was scheduled to defend the title against Sergio Mora on February 7. However, promoter Lou DiBella confirmed that Taylor has suffered a fractured rib in training, effectively cancelling the bout.

At press time, Taylor has not released an official statement.

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Anyone starting to think Taylor’s erratic behavior might be the result of in-ring trauma? It’s worth being said that Taylor has passed all neurological test before his latest comeback, but the former undisputed champ is clearly battling issues that have yet to be diagnosed. And until those are addressed, boxing should be the last thing on his mind.

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Authorities have returned T.I. to federal custody for using a luxury bus filled with entourage members to report to a Atlanta halfway house.

T.I. (Clifford Harris) was released on Wednesday after being jailed for the past year for parole violation on weapons charges. He traveled from a federal prison in Arkansas to Atlanta in the prominent luxury vehicle, which went against the Atlanta’s emcee’s promise to use a discreet van.

According to the Federal Bureau of Prisons website, T.I. will now be released on September 29.

Earlier this week, T.I. issued statement to fans via Twitter.

“Feels great to be back where I belong…Back in the arms of those who need me the most,” T.I. said. “The storm is over & da sun back out. IT’S OUR TIME TO SHINE SHAWTY!!!!! Welcome to the beginning of our Happy Ending!!!!”

No matter the discipline, I almost never take an artist’s claims of retirement seriously. If you aretrue artist, that vocation is in your DNA and not something you give up. Now the “business” of art, that’s something different. In Scarface’s case, financially he has no choice but to come back to the game. While the fan in me welcomes new music, it’s far more important that he gets himself together to take care of the brood of children he’s accumulated over the last decade plus with these different women. I couldn’t help but think about that x-rated “High Note” video from a few years back. Wrap it up, gentleman.

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ATLANTA, GA — Brick Squad rapper Gucci Mane is still being held in at Dekalb County jail on misdemeanor battery and parole violation charges.

Last week, Gucci Mane was arrested for allegedly pushing a woman out of his moving vehicle after offering her $150 for sex on January 28. The unidentified 36-year-old was treated for minor injuries, including back pain. The rapper had met the woman, a hair stylist, that morning

The latest parole violation is the second Gucci Mane has committed in the last 12 months. Last May, Gucci Mane was released after serving six months for a violation involving narcotics use.

“I have made some mistakes in my life that have hurt a lot of people who care about me,” Gucci said upon his May 2010 release. “These past six months have been a difficult time but fortunately I have learned a great deal from my experience. I was able to do a great deal of soul-searching; I am coming back with a new attitude towards life… I want to continue down a positive track and truly focus on being a role model to my fans and community.”

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For immediate future, DMX’s one year jail term will be under the supervision of the Flamenco Mental Health unit at Arizona’s State Prison.

Earlier this month, DMX (Earl Simmons) received his jail sentence after pleading guilty to parole violation. X violated his terms by testing positive for cocaine and oxycontin. The former multi-platinum emcee had just been released from prison in August after serving a year for a conviction on drug, fraud, and animal cruelty charges.

According to the Phoenix New Times, the mental health tests are a follow-up on the recommendation of Arizona judge Christine Mulleneaux, who stated at the rapper’s sentencing that it’s possible he suffers from bi-polar disorder, or another “undiagnosed mental condition.”

At press time, DMX’s manager Nakia Walker would not verify if her client has a mental condition. DMX will be able to have visitors beginning on January 20, 2011.

It’s crazy (no pun intended) that after being arrested every year since 1999, Arizona has finally decided to take a look at DMX’s mental condition. For those of us in Hip-Hop, we knew from the first album that X tittered on that thin line between brilliance and insanity.

DMX needs help, and Arizona is not the place he’ll get it. In that state, he’s simply a target, and that’ll never change. DMX is a grown man, so no one can force him to get off drugs. At least in a new location, he’d have a legit chance at a fresh start. I don’t know if it’s property holdings, family, or a just a love for the area that’s kept him there. Whatever it is, those ties need to severed when he’s released next year.

On every album, DMX says an emotional prayer. I hope his fans are keeping him in theirs.

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Ja Rule has received a two-year prison sentence following a guilty plea on a 2007 gun possession charge.

Ja Rule (Jeffrey Atkins) made the plea deal earlier today in Manhattan State Supreme Court. He faced up to four years if found guilty at trial.

On July 23, 2o07, Ja Rule was stopped by police for speeding after finishing up a concert the Beacon Theater venue. Authorities searched his Maybach vehicle on suspicion of marijuana use, and found a .40 caliber, semi-automatic handgun.

Rule will be officially sentenced in February 2011. In November, the rapper had just completed a tour of Moscow, and performed in Iraq for American troops.

At press time, Ja Rule could not be reached for comment.

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Two years sounds very steep, but I’m not sure how many priors Ja Rule has either. Rappers are good for catching gun cases due to members of their entourage carrying around illegal firearms. This still seems excessive, but also keep in mind what’s happened to Prodigy, Lil Wayne, and even NFL player Plaxico Burress when they’ve caught gun charges in NY. Each and every one of them has had to serve time.

Rappers have to realize they are targets, especially when you’re riding around in a vehicle that’s worth about $250,000. We saw what happened to T.I. a few months back when he was in his Maybach in Los Angeles. Tough break for Ja.